Parcel-carrier and track



, (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. G. P. WALKER.

PARCEL CARRIER AND TRACK.

No. 278,298. a 1,, Patents M ay 22,1883.

(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

G. P. WALKER.

PABGBL CARRIER AND TRACK.

Va a M d nu t n e M w w w P n. FUERS. muam mr. wamu mm ma j lel to each other until they reach the branch N ED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE I. WALKER, ()F' LOWELL,MASSACHUSETTS.

PARCEL-CARRIER AND TRACK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 278,298, dated May 22, 1883.

Application filed October 30, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE P. WAKLER, of Lowell, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Parcel-Carriers and Tracks for same, of which the following is a specification. t

My invention relates to parcel-carriers for elevated railways, where the carrier is caused to roll on such ways by their inclination; and it consists in a new form of carrier and track adapted thereto, substantially as hereinafter described.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a top plan view of my improved way and the carriers usedthereon. the same. Fig. 3is an end view of the way and carriers. Fig. 4 isan end view of the way Atis the railway, which consists of an en- V tirely-flat surface or platform inclined in the the direction the carriers are to roll.

B B are the carriers rolling thereon.

In the wayA are made grooves 1 2 3 4, &o., extending along its upper surface paralwaysG G,leading to the several stations to which the carriers are to carry the parcels, when one of the outside grooves leads off onto such branch; way 0. If desired, more than one groove can be led oit' onto each branch 0, and one of these again-divertedonto a second branch leading from the first one.

The carrier B isan' improvement on that patented to Thomas Swineburn in the English Letters Patent dated January 3, 1846, No. 11,024. It consists of a perfect cylinder with a single flange, I), carried around, its circumference at: right angles to its axis, which flange is made to so fit the grooves 1 2 3 4, 810., as to guide the carrier B and keep it upon the track while traversing the same. The carrieris to he made hollow, and" the parcel to be carried isto be deposited in its interior in any well-known manner. The carrier is kept upon the track by rods 01 d parallel to and above the same ata suitable height. It

desired, they may be placedso nearthe top Fig.2 is a side view of of the carrier as to prevent its flange b from rising out of the guiding-track groove. The track is suspended from the ceiling by rods ff with sufficient incline to cause the carrier to traverse it. By having inclined tracks in opposite directions the carriers may be used on either at pleasure.

The operation of the invention is as follows: Let c c '0 &c., represent the different stations to which parcels are to be sent from the end of the trackat- E. The parcel is inclosed in its cylindrical carrier, and the carrier is placed upon the track so that its guideflange is in the groove leading to the station to which it is to be sent. It will of course follow the grooveandgo to the station desired. If the track be inclined in the oppo site direction, it will conduct the carriers from junction of the grooves on one track.

By thisinvention I dispense with all switchesof every kind for connecting the main and side or branch tracks or ways, and provide a track and carrier cheap, simple, and impossible to I get out of order. I also make one track or surface convey all the carriers for most of the distance before branching oft'to the several stations.

In the drawings, for the sake of clearness, I have shown the grooves 1 2 3, 850., somewhat Wider and more widely apart than used in practice, it being my intention to bring themnearer together and toward the center of the main way. I can thus, for instance, on a main way four inches wide place at least twelve grooves, on which I can use as many carriers two and a halt inches long forcommunicating with as many diflerent stations.

What I claim is-- 1.. In combination with the carrier B, pro-' vided with guiding-flange I), the way A, provided with two or more guiding-grooves, 1 2 3,

the several stationsto one common point of.

as new and of my invention 860., each groove leading off the main way to aditferent station, substantially as described.

C, and a continuous guide-groove carried along both ways, with the cylindrical carrier B, provided with flange b, fitting said guide-groove, substantially as described.

3. The smooth-surfaced cylindrical carrier B, provided with a single guide-flange, b, in GEORGE P. W'ALKER. combination with a track consisting of a plane r smooth-surfaced way provided with a single 1 Witnesses: central guide-gnoove, as hereinbefore shown l DANIEL H. GORDON, and set forth. DAVID HALL'RIGE.

4. In combinationwitli the grooved way A 10 and carrier B, provided with guide-flange I), the rod or rods 61 61, substantially as described. 

